Shelby County Man Drowns After Attempting to Drive on Water-Covered Roadway

(NEES)

A Shelby County man died after attempting to drive through flood waters.

Shelby County Sheriff Brian McReynolds said 54-year-old Anthony Lee "Tony" Nees attempted to drive through high water covering a rural road about four miles southwest of Shelbyville about 7:30 Thursday morning. Shelby County Coroner Brad Phegley said Nees' vehicle became stranded. Phegley said Nees exited his vehicle and was swept away by the current out into a field. Recovery efforts were carried out by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, the Shelby County Dive Team, and by Phegley. 

Nees' body was recovered Saturday morning once the waters receded, approximately a quarter mile from where he was first swept away. McReynolds said an Illinois State Police aircraft, an Illinois Department of Conservation boat, and boats from the Shelby County Dive Team were all utilized in the search, along with a drone. The search was conducted during daylight hours both Thursday and Friday before the recovery of the body on Saturday.